Marking Another Year of Faithfulness

I think it is only fair to pause as one marks another year of activities fading into vague memories as quickly as a vapor.

In this leisure moment, I'm pausing to mark, journal & thank the Lord for another year that has passed. It has been an awesome year of Florida sunshine, poolside BBQ & picnics with laughter & great conversations, new friends & visitors, travel, grandchildren's school performances & successes to cheer, and moments of teaching God's ladies while serving the Lord alongside a faith community. This pause is filled with praise to my precious LORD Jesus for the all the good He has showered on my days. 

My personal trek with the living God began over 60 years ago with the words "for you" spoken by Jesus when explaining His choice to die in my place. I received Him as my Savior and He gave me the right to be called by His Name. I love what I recently found of just what God did for me in Romans 1:5-7.
Throughout my adult life I've become more and more aware of the depths those precious "for you" words actually mean to me. To know that my Creator wants "good" for me has given me more courage than I've even imagined. My life has been so full of adventures and the solid promises of good have been the anchor of security through both storms & peace. 

I'm constantly amazed how our faithful God declares Himself present in our lives. Just recently, Don & I traveled again to Wales to visit our younger daughter's family. It's been said often by those from the UK, so I'll just agree with them.
 "Wow! It's so beautiful!"
Our Creator God did really good with the formation of those beautiful rolling hills & flowery meadows, making a perfect dwelling place for some of his lowly wooly creatures. Yes... there are sheep everywhere!!
Psalm 23 came to my mind as I watched a shepherd climb the slope to his flock. 

Each time we visit, we have wonderful times exploring the surrounding Brecon Mountains and the valley communities. On one hike, we stood on a Brecon Summit, to gaze far off into the distance. The shadows of billowy clouds darkened further hills in an array of green tones. We enjoyed our restful Teatime in the Roundabout and wandered the pastureland, marveling at God's creation covering the immense landscape & amazing cloud formations outlining the sky. 
                                                                            

One Sunday afternoon on this recent holiday trip, we drove to a very high peak. The road was narrow, muddy and curving sharply. It was very challenging whenever we met an oncoming vehicle. Each driver inched slowly as close to the hedge as possible to barely squeak past each other. There were also some tense moments when our wheels spun icy patches, struggling to grasp gravel to slow us down.   
Because the wind was sharp, cold and intense, we spent the winter afternoon exploring mostly from the car. The girls climbed out once to run & play on the lush green bluff but quickly raced back to the car, weary of fighting the gusts challenging their strength. Even dressed in several layers, I huddled in the car, trying to keep warm.
The beauty spread below the bluff was breathtaking. It was most beautiful when the sun shone on the houses clustered in the valley. The countryside was dotted with hedges, marking off roads and farms. In the distance, we could see the ancient stone castle, a fortress during many historical enemy raids.  

During those moments in creation, I found it hard to describe my inner feelings. I've almost accepted the possibility that there may be no words for such poignant feelings. A whispered hint might be that I felt like my soul encountered the closeness of my inner Anchor's Presence. Within me, I've held tightly to Him, believing securely His declarations of love explained in Scriptures. I'm persuaded my Redeemer lives. I know I live in His Presence wherever I roam, but there on the mountain top, my physical world was enveloped by His Majesty. The moments were poignant, vivid, flamboyant, yet breathtakingly peaceful.

I am so blessed. As I contemplate other days of this passing year, I realize I've encountered His Presence in so many different places. He surrounds me with good. The squeezes of little arms embracing my weariness, the smiles in friendships, a well-written text greeting, and the camaraderie found while serving our community have been just a few of the moments. 

Returning to our Florida home, our heated pool wards off the winter blues while offering leisure afternoons to float in the sun, relaxed by listening to the broadcasting songs, hymns & spiritual songs. These have been times of inner refreshing as well as more quiet hours to read & study Scriptures while basking in the sunshine!
I also find great enjoyment comparing my treasure hunts with what others have excavated in their studies! How blessed we are to have the technology to hear several weekly sermons, take classes online, hear pods, or read other posts sharing individual studies! All of these have brought such joy and remind us daily that we live in His Presence. 
So, life continues to move on with so much promise of adventures in the Presence of our Living God. 

I pray for my family and friends to be very aware of where the Living God is making His appeal through his representatives and the marvelous gift of God's kindness. (2 Corinthians 5:17- 6:1). 
May each of us gratefully join Him in the message of reconciliation as we practice His Presence daily through 2026. 

Peace in Flight

 

As I settled in my seat for the transatlantic journey, I mumbled how long the flight might seem if the three-year-old girl's uncontrolled screaming continued. Whatever the little one wanted was being denied as both parents and grandmother tried to restrain her flailing limbs with a seatbelt. Failure to ignore the situation was obvious as each passenger squirmed uncomfortably in their tightened seatbelts. Some gently offered assistance and others held bribes of treats, but as the official announcement ordered the "prepare for take-off", all shrugged off to their assigned areas, leaving the parents to wrestle the uncontrolled and very loud protests. 

My inner frustration turned toward heaven as I prayed for peace. I prayed for the noise to stop. I grumbled my own prayer-filled words, selfishly begging for peace and comfort. My praying was no different than the little child's tantrum. Directed at heaven, my secret whispering actually spoke loudly in protest for what I wanted & thought I needed. I was whining for my own soothing and comfort!
An author, AW TOZER, wrote: "Don't allow yourself to become satisfied with shallow, self-centered praying. STAY with God in prayer until He leads you to pray at the level He wants." 
My practice of prayer needed a change! I asked the Lord to change my heart to stay with Him, learn His ways, be more like Him and want His desires. 

Earlier in the month, a friend had asked, "What makes a person holy?" Most believers know that God has told us to "be holy as He is holy"; but we don't often ask how one keeps being holy. I took this question frequently into my studies, desiring God's definition to keep His children holy so they could serve Him, the Living God.

Scriptures declare believers are God's holy people, His saints, His treasured children.

  The Holy Spirit "set apart" those God had called; (1 Peter 1:1).
    In 2 Co 1:12, there's the possibility to live in God-given holiness with a clear conscience.
    In Ephesians 1:4, God chose for us to be holy & without fault IN Christ.
    Colossians 1:2 defines God's holy people as "those who are faithful brothers & sisters in Christ." and in 1:13 says, "HE has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins." One of my favorite verses explains the results of reconciliation. Col 1:22 says, "HE has reconciled you to Himself... and brought you INTO HIS OWN PRESENCE and you are holy and blameless AS you stand before Him without a single fault."  
    The author of Hebrews explains that holiness is found only in Christ's sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin.
Almost every NT book declares God's holy people, but for many, the "how" question lingers.
Is there something one does to stay holy in spite of daily activities?
How does holiness react to the interruption and discomfort of a noisy flight?
I know who I am in Christ, but in that flight, it was practicing a recent memory verse that taught me that holiness is marked by God's Presence. His Presence sets me apart.  
 

Moses was in dialog with God immediately following dealing with angry Israelites. He begged the Lord to continue to look favorably on them. He prayed, "Let me know your ways so that I may understand you more fully." His constant longing was to enjoy God's favor.
In Exodus 33:16, Moses voiced his new understanding: "For YOUR PRESENCE sets me & your people apart from all other people on the earth." (NLT)

As I know my God's ways, His promises become more defined and confident in my daily practices. He promised never to leave me nor forsake me. Knowing I am in His Presence, I practice living the reality of being set apart from all other people on the earth. My attitude and solutions to difficult moments become different. This is the difference we need to know.
His Presence makes me different.
As I grasp this truth, I imitate Him and want His desires to be my desires.

The noisy flight continued, but my prayers changed. I thanked God for His Presence & asked for His desires to become mine. I envisioned my Lord with me and began to ask His Presence to gently place His hand on the little one. I knew His Presence could soothe her. His touch could give her peace. I prayed His Peace for her parents and grandmother.

Then, my prayers enlarged. I asked His precious Presence, who offered His own life in sacrifice, to give them eternal life.
He could give them eternal peace. I began to pray for a family to have opportunities to hear the Gospel, to receive His mercy, and know His grace.
I prayed for each one to become children of righteousness who lived in His Presence. 

I stayed with God. The joy of praying for others on God's level filled my mind.
I lost track of time as I envisioned their salvation. I thanked the Lord for the privilege to pray God's will for them. As these thoughts thrilled my heart, I became aware that the plane had become peacefully quiet. 

I smiled. I believed the temporary peace was an answer for His future grace in this precious family. I understood His Presence set me and His people apart from all people on the earth SO THAT we could partner with His Son (1 CO 1:9) in the message of reconciliation.
Our message begins in prayer, asking His Presence to call out from us His Son's plea. His appeal to "Come back to God!" begins with our prayer for hearts to be opened. 

1 Corinthians 1:9 "God will do this, for He is faithful to do what he says, and He has invited you into partnership with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." NLT

COLORS SPEAK

 

Recently, I visited a BOOK FESTIVAL site where attempts to share the Gospel welcomed strangers into a WALKING EXPERIENCE using the colors depicted in the Wordless Book. Each room’s message used a Scriptural principle to describe the LIFE choices one makes and used meaningful COLORS to help the participants understand the choices that had been made.

 

Those who invited each participant to enter the tent gave them a sample craft with folding instructions to make their own wordless book. On the reverse side of the instructions, there were Bible verses for each color they would experience inside the tent. They were asked to observe all the items in each room through the spectrum of the room's choice colored light. At the end of their walking experience through the tent, there would be Survey Questions to help them recall what they had seen & an explanation of the Bible verses on the handout. 

Very interested, I sat nearby to watch.
The WALKING EXPERIENCE attracted many as friendly greeters conversed with those passing by, asking them if they would like to make a craft, have their young children’s faces painted by a visiting artist, or browse a table of free books. The tent entrance was large & inviting.

From my perch, I could see punching bags hanging from the ceiling in a BLACK Room.

My attention was drawn to a very young boy, tethered by a child protection leash. He attempted to enter the tent experience alone while his mother stood outside the entrance, distracted by tables of reading materials and culturally courteous in conversations. The pretentious freedom gave the little boy the ability to wander safely into the dark world of the black room, yet still be within view. Unconscious of danger, he was caught unaware by the wildly swinging punching bags. His small frame was buffeted from side to side. He staggered unsteadily as he pushed his way deeper into the room. Other children raced by him, wildly pushing the bags aside, knocking the little boy completely down. His stretched leash hindered his attempts to catch up to the others, but he was determined. He pushed & prodded, was knocked around, fell often, but continually, lifted himself up to try again.
He made very little progress.
I glanced over to the mom and noticed an older brother had caught up to his family.  He gazed inside the entrance and watched his little brother’s struggle, his determination, & the inevitable defeat. While his parent continued to talk, the old boy approached & unleashed the small lad & lifted him into his arms, shielding him from the buffeting bags. Together they walked deeper into the dark room.

I realized I had just envisioned a true picture of salvation.
I was born into this dark world with all its fearsome buffeting & hindering bags. Because of God’s great mercy, I was given parental tethering to protect my wanderings & help me find my way through life’s scary maze. As good as my parents were, they were often distracted by work, tradition, neighbors & many obligations. Often, even their own weaknesses hindered their protection.
Stretching my parental tethering, I began pushing my way into the darkness, following & imaging others who had raced ahead, buffeting me with many unavoidable bags hidden in the dark. Recalling my fears, I’m forever thankful for the tethering that blocked deeper progress into that darkness! I remember how quickly I grew weary as I was pushed, shoved, or was blocked & hindered by my own weak smallness to reach what I thought I wanted.
I made very little progress.

In mercy, God sent His Son, like a pure big brother in human flesh to rescue me. He knew my weaknesses, my ignorance, and He gave himself to feel all those distractions, the suffering & buffeting I had begun to experience. God’s beautiful Son reached down, answered parental prayers by drawing me into his own arms. Even in his powerful strength, my age required facing deeper steps into the darkness, but there were little hints constantly showing I was not alone. He held me tightly as each step took me further from safety, and memorized Scriptures assured a security of being held in his powerful arms as he pushed away the schemes of our enemy.
One day, He carried me into the RED ROOM where I personally heard the good news that God offered the dark world through His Son whom He had sent. This Son had suffered, been buffeted, freely bled & died on a cross, removing the darkness of the record of wrong done to a Holy God. I heard & understood that His precious sacrifice in that darkness was done “for me”.
I looked & saw the cross.

The Good News told me He had defeated my enemy in resurrected power & authority. Now, by His precious blood, I am cleansed & made holy so He can bring me Home. In overwhelming gratitude, I placed my own small hand in his wounded palm, thanking His patient love for all He has done for me. 

Ephesians 2:8,9 "For by GRACE you have been saved through FAITH. And this is not your own doing; it is the GIFT of GOD, not the result of works, so that no one may boast. WE are His workmanship, created IN Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Our WALK progress to date has been the precious time spent in the BLUE & WHITE ROOM of living in His Royal Presence. He is teaching me through Scriptures to trust His leadership to keep my heart spotless and pure as one of His royal daughters. 
Together, we are cultivating a beautiful garden of living within my heart's GREEN ROOM. Through experiences and fellowship of other believers, through books, classes, sermons and study, His Constant Presence is growing His Likeness within me.

He is faithfully guiding me to finish this walk experience together. I am so secure in His forever promise to never forsake me. I’ve only read about the GOLDEN ROOM, but it is my HOPE & joy to see it in all its glory when we arrive Home.

Throughout my journey with Him, I’m persuaded and know with certainty that God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is my ever-present living REDEEMER.
His Presence has given me the security of knowing that I am right where I’ve always belonged.  

In Romans 1:5 NLT, we read "Through CHRIST, God has given us the privilege & authority as sent ones to TELL everyone everywhere what GOD HAS DONE FOR THEM, so that they will believe and obey Him, bringing glory to His Name." 

I truthfully hope that each one reading this recent memory of COLORS SPEAK will use the opportunity to share this good news with others. Let the COLORS tell what GOD HAS DONE FOR THEM. 
The following verses (6-7 NLT) give us what to tell them: 
YOU ARE INCLUDED in God's plan. 
YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED TO BELONG TO JESUS CHRIST.
YOU ARE LOVED BY GOD. 
YOU ARE CALLED TO BE HIS OWN HOLY PEOPLE.
"May God our Father and the LORD Jesus Christ give you GRACE & PEACE.

Opening JORDAN RIVER RULES

 

In September, I began a new vein to record on this “Climbing Vertical” adventurous trek through life’s mountains. I chose this trek with my heavenly Guide, the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised would continually remind me of what Jesus taught & teach me of things to come. I trust Him whenever we start a hike, I've asked Him to show me all He wants me to learn from these OT biblical accounts.
This new little side vein led me to a group of women and a devotional book, THE JORDAN RIVER RULES by Robert J Morgan. It may seem like a book review as I move through the chapters, but they're simply personal lessons that constantly spill over with enthusiasm & love for my sweet Savior. .
Each week, I’ve found the OT accounts for group discussions have deep crevices to solo explore, risky gauntlets to leap over, refreshing streams to rest beside, meadows to slow my pace, and shady trees to pause under while enjoying the fellowship of the Son and His faithful ones.
I hope many of my reading friends find these journaled exploits enjoyable

In these posts, I ask myself challenging questions as one who believes that all Christians have been called to be true representatives of the biblical God.. As such a believer, my deepest desire is to IMAGE Christ. (2 Co 3:18),
I have so much to learn which causes every devotional to become a study! How I beg my Guide for understanding & insight. Each theme leads into many topics which need a deeper grasp. I find an overwhelming desire to find more time to just linger with the Holy Spirit, reading Scriptures to find connections and understanding.
We're told in 1 Corinthians 10:11, studying OT accounts are vital because they were written FOR US as warnings and examples.. Because of this, my personal questions & thoughts reflect considerations in both aspects as I meditate on biblical accounts.

 

Our first visit together...

 Hi! Thank you for clicking on my blog...

I cannot tell you how much it means to me to hang out with friends & how I often I long to be introduced ot others, in hopes of developing new friendships.
It's so good to have you stop by!
I've been nick-named "Debi" by using my childhood initials - with an added i for 'internet'.
I began this blog in 2014, but in reviewing this page, I'm quite surprised that my surroundings have changed, but my favorite things remain strongly the same in describing my life. My surroundings now are more tropical with palm trees waving over a refreshing pool and a leisure lanai for visiting friends. 

I love the sweet fellowship gained by new friends & wish we could pass the afternoon with this pop-in today to become betteracquainted. To help you know me more, I'd invite you in for a cup of hot tea in one of my many teacups and we could sit on my patio.  I'd probably offer you some English shortbread or Malaysian "digestive biscuits". 
We would have so much to talk about and I would probably ask too many questions! I'd love to hear your stories & interests, especially, your relationship with God's Son, Jesus Christ, and the places He has led you on your life's trek through spiritual valleys & mountains.  

As we visited, I share my travels to visit my daughter's families in Indonesia, Malaysia, and busy NYC. My children invite us to visit their homes in the most beautiful, interesting, and exciting places. We've fallen in love to the warm climate of tropical islands with vast turquoise waters outlined by foamy waves on ocean beaches. We also love to share our visits we've made to stare high on the sky reaching aged with history architecture, and bustling streets with throngs of people rushing to & from their destinies. 
Our favorite memories we share with friends are the many times we just hang out with 7 wonderful grandchildren at their various activities, or our family times around the meal tables full of laughter. 

I probably would have one of my journals nearby & you'd see all the doodled edges on the various pages, visualizing my thoughts & understanding of what I've learned. They're my simple art attempts expanding my memory, which also extend into card making, and my collected photo memories in treasured scrapbooks 

I'd show you all my paper crafting tools and how much fun it has been to make simple Christmas tags and seasonal greeting cards. I'd show you samples of the bundles I made with friends as gifts to leave behind when we ventured into visitation and spend many sweet hours with precious shut-ins, filling many their lonely hours with a visit.  

Then, we'd probably wander into my hobby room where I would share my love for self-taught sewing, quilting, embroidery and cross stitching.
You would see all the bins, organized by project, lining the closet shelves & floor and know I had more hopes than a life-time to create beautiful things.
Most likely, you'd tell me there's no more need for me to shop for fabrics, patterns or notions!

In our conversation, I know I would mention that becoming a follower of Jesus Christ was the most important decision I made in my life., I'm most thankful for His sacrificial death as my Savior, nailing my account to His cross. I've made Him the Lord of all my decisions, and humbly bow my knee to worship Him in all I do. As we visit, I think you'd shortly realize that I love to proclaim His Grace and share His friendship often. My deep desire is for each of my loved ones to be reconciled to God through Christ & that we all would together be learning to be His followers. You'd hear how each day is an adventure because I know I walk in my King's covenant Presence. You'd probably notice my eyes often gaze toward the clouds, wondering when He will call His friends to join Him in his kingdom.

We would enjoy the season together, both the climate & stage of our lives.... 
If it's Spring, I'd excitedly point to new life in my Iris flower garden, while in summer, we could enjoy my shaded patio, surrounded by a rainbow of potted flowers. 
In Fall, we'd kick at a yardful of falling leaves, while gazing over the variety of color in a garden of mums. You'd probably guess my favorite season because the warm autumn shades of garnet red, and splashes of golden brown creep into every room of my home. 

        

So, please enjoy my journaling posts. 
I believe I'm on the most adventuous trek a life can choose. it is heavenward with the promised Holy Spirit as my Guide and the Scriptures as our manual.
I've enjoyed introducing myself and would love for you to use the comments to share your thoughts, activities, & studies with me.
I sincerely hope my post encourage your journey with the Lord and as you fix your eyes on Jesus, although we dimly see, His face becomes more and more reflected for others to see His grace. 

The RED CORD Promise

#4 Help someone along the way

In this post, I ask challenging questions of myself as one who believes that all Christians have been called to be true representatives of the biblical God.. As such a believer, I want to IMAGE Christ. (2 Co 3:18),
We're told in 1 Corinthians 10:,11, studying OT accounts are vital because they were written FOR US as warnings and examples.. Because of this, my questions & thoughts reflect both of these aspects as I meditate on RULE #4 of THE JORDAN RIVER RULES by Robert J Morgan.. 
We were asked a vital question in the group time which also played a part in the challenge. Feeling helpless & overwhelmed in the aftermath of Hurricane IAN & the catatrosphic destruction, we honestly wanted to know, "How do we talk to those who have lost so much & are questioning God's goodness in such destruction?" I felt several in the room were also having their own doubts. We've been taught to share God's love. Our usual focus is to only share the "gospel of Jesus" and desire to do it in such a way that it is not confrontational, judgmental, or even threatening to anyone's way of life. This week, I was again amazed to find answers to our quesitions in the account of Rahab, but a little hesitant to share these answers because there seems to be more than God's LOVE & goodness. Let me just clarify that this account is the goodness of God to Rahab, as an example demonstrating God's love, but it's also a catastaphic warning for us, our family, & neighbors..  

Joshua 2:10 “For we have HEARD how the LORD made a dry path for you through the Red Sea when you left Egypt. And we know what you did to Sihon & Og, the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River, whose people you completely destroyed.
Did you wonder how "they HEARD"? Who told them? The Jericho residents HEARD of God's power. All were aware & warned that this Power was moving forward toward them & it was so powerful they could not withstand this Presence. Rahab, a resident of Jericho, knew the Israelite's God had given them the land. Perhaps she yearned to know this God, Rahab showed kindness, which is only produced by the Spirit of God, proving God's Supreme Presence was already near.. 
Does Rahab's description of Jericho residents resemble our community? Are those around us demonstrating "kindness" showing us God is already working right here? This whole account caused me to wonder what had been HEARD about the power of God in His people here in my community.
What have my neighbors HEARD about my God? 
What have my neighbors HEARD of my relationship with the Supreme God?
Has it been rumored that new neighbors know the Supreme King who rules another kingdom?
Have they heard our adventuous story as if it were a similar mountainous trek with the powerful Supreme God of the heavens & all the earth? In part, it is why I write this blog.
The Bible asks, “How shall they HEAR unless one sent?”
We believe we have been sent.
We believe we are on mission.
As I consider the Jericho story in JOSHUA 2, and specifically, Rahab, I'm challenged with my mission and how I reflect God's image in Christ's righteousness to those who need to HEAR. What does being a true representatiive of His Kingdom & Glory mean to me each day as I live in this community? This has become heavy stuff to me. It captivates my heart breathlessly, leaving me overwhelmed that this biblical Presence & Power is now IN ME.  It drives my mission passionately & intensely. I've learned to be intentional with my day & activities.
When Israel crossed borders, it created a real fear of God in the residents.

Having recently crossed a big river & state borders into a new community, I must admit that I've never once considered my new neighbors having "hearts melting in FEAR" caused by our move into this community! With so many coming & going, I wonder if they even noticed new people, I'm sure there was no thought of the Presence of God moving in when our U-haul drove into the driveway. 

But Jericho noticed. when His Presence entered their territory.
Rahab noticed & HEARD all their fear. 
Joshua 2:11 “No wonder our hearts have melted in FEAR! No one has the courage to fight after hearing such things. For the LORD your God is the Supreme God of the heavens above & the earth below.”

What a great verse for "Peace through Strength' we often hear from the political world! No one dares fight where power has been on display. I think there is real need to pause & consider how the power of GOD IN US has been on display for our community.
Do those around us realize they are in the Presence of the Supreme God of heaven & all the earth? According to the NT, our power-filled holy lives, on display for others to SEE, should cause hearts to either be drawn in love into His Presence (Jn 13:34-35) or "melt with fear" as they fall on their knees & worship our powerful God. (1 CO 14:24-25)
Maybe just thinking about making people respectfully fearful is an appalling consideration. Perhaps you've been taught "God is love", so when natural disasters happen, you reason with others that it's no one's fault. We've learned to just deal with whatever "Mother Nature" hands out, hopeful that it will be scientifically explained. We tend to leave God out of conversation. We've been told to silently allow some to believe they're intelligent enough to figure out how to change climate, deceiving & pacifying those who deny the presence & power of the Supreme & Sovereign God.. Maybe you've not been taught or even considered that it is your loving God who creates disasters, or that HE uses natural disasters for His purposes.
How we must learn to know God as Rahab knew, “the LORD your GOD IS Supreme God of the heavens above & the earth below”.
Let's consider this knowledge of God making a difference in how we view natural disasters.

Looking at another biblical passage, affirms faith by revealing more of God's continual personal involvement in creation. We can consider our own fearful respect in the knowledge of the One True God.
Here is a description of God in Jeremiah 10:12-13 “But the LORD made the earth by His power, and he preserves it by His wisdom. With His own understanding He stretches out the heavens, When He speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.”
It's hard to wrap my mind around this, especially while hearing reports of destructive 155mph winds. It causes me to try to grasp the enormity of God's Sovereignty working though weather to demonstrate His continual Presence & Power in our daily routines. It's hard to explain that what's happening around us is a loving God getting our attention. We believe God created the heavens & the earth – a long time ago, you know, “in the beginning”. But how often do we consider His complete Sovereignty in creation’s work TODAY? God says HE is preserving the earth, by causing, sending, and releasing weather at His Will. Just pause on that for a moment!
It is GOD who preserves this earth. It is GOD who calls to the clouds to rise over the earth. It is GOD who calls thunder to bring rain, It is God who sends the lightning with the rain. It is God who releases the wind.
Wow!  That's saying "it was God’s extreme power over creation" that made us see disaster this week?
Do we need to take time to get better aquainted with this biblical God of disasters?
Are we even willing to consider sharing this biblical side of our God among each other, or, an even more daunting task, sharing truthfully with our neighbors & family, or those who are in distress? 
IS THIS YOUR GOD?
I know I personally feel alittle harsh to say "My God of love sent disaster." I don't think it would be a welcomed subject in many circles. So, I have to ask myself again...
What would make neighbors today become respectfully FEARFUL of God so that He had their attention? What in our lives displays His Presence & Power for others to HEAR about our God?

Proverbs "9:10 "The Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom..."

I feel very challenged to see God's handiwork as disaster, yet I stay silent, not knowing how to speak truth in love. I'm not convinced my words would come across as gentle & fragile as I feel inside. I grieve over the loss I see, yet my heart yearns to tell others God needs their undivided attention. This disaster could be "fields that are ready for spiritual harvest". We desperately need to see people as God sees?
What is God doing among His people? We offer hope like the spies offered Rahab. Yet, we also need to be READY for what is to come. We need to be prepared spiritually to cross over & conquer.

Our neighbors need to HEAR His display of PRESENCE & POWER IN US? 
Our lives must help others become respectfully fearful, growing in knowledge of the Supreme Sovereign God especially as we offer the Love of God displayed in Jesus Christ?

Knowing future prophesy, we can use disaster to offer hope & eternal rescue. This disaster looks really bad, but it's nothing compared to what is about to happen to this earth! We have a tendency to avoid Scriptures that speak of judgment. We shy away from any confrontational passages that might give impressions of possible judgment. Just recently while reading Ezekiel 38, the words “A long time from now you will be called into action. In the distant future…”
I believe that “long time from now” is not so long away now. I believe it might be our future. The "distant future" of Ezekiel is most likely our “present” time. The Bible is a revelation where God not only describes Himself, but He tells what He is doing and how His work will look. Jesus told his disciples that the Holy Spirit has come to teach us of things to come. This is to warn us, but also to give us words to warn others of coming disasters. Our God is a loving God. Out of that love He warns us that terrible things, climatic changes will happen for His purposes. Man cannot change climate on a whim. God tells us that rain falls on the righteous and on the unrighteous at His command. He also comforts His people with His own personal involvement, often through His people's hearts & hands as we relieve their pain.. Many biblical accounts show God offering a way of escaoe. 
Coming judgment will be catastrophic. God has made a way to escape future disasters. Through His Son's sacrificial death, burial, & resurrection, God redeems people from the grip of judgment. What this earth faces soon is a judgment far more fierce than anything that has been before! The recent disasters are building to much bigger catastrophic, epic, natural disasters.
Are we preparing ourselves & those we love for upcoming catastophy? 
The spies, God's people, offered the RED CORD as a covenant symbol of safety.
Have you found God's escape provided through the blood of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ?
God's people moved FORWARD in His Presence & Power.
Today, "the Ark of the Covenant" continues moving forward in the power of God's Kingdom to come.
Are you following, prepared & ready to conquer?
Have you prepared your children so that they are ready?
Are your neighbors ready?
Have you told them that wisdom begins by a respectful fear of God?
My concern is that we have unintentionally lived a message of “health & wealth”, pacifying others with only comforting words, while avoiding the harsher reality of judgment to come on those who reject God's rescue offer of LOVE.
Rahab HEARD.
A red cord was provided for her deliverance.
By faith, Rahab received deliverance. (Heb 11:31)
Our friends need to HEAR.
They need to respond in FAITH.
Each needs God's promised red cord, the precious blood of Jesus, to provide deliverance from coming judgment.